Beavers are an even bigger boost for environment, says uni

Beavers are even better for the environment than first thought according to new research from the University of Liverpool.

Their study found the animals help to keep water levels constant, making areas more resistant to drought.

It adds weight to the debate that more beavers should be re-introduced into the wild, rather than into enclosures.

The report's author Dr Melanie Baker, whose research was based on the beaver enclosure in Hatchmere in Cheshire, said while beavers can sometimes build dams in the wrong places, the benefits outweigh the negatives.

"During the drought of July 2022 we found that the beaver enclosure stayed wet throughout," she said.

"It was continually allowing water to flow out of the enclosure into the site of special scientific interest, allowing the water table to stay nice and high, the peat to remain wet and for all those plants to survive.

"But also, it supports all the local wildlife - foxes and wading birds - whose lives depend on water."

A male and a female beaver arrived in Hatchmere in 2020.

Since then they have produced seven kits and have also re-shaped the landscape.

Areas of dense woodland have gone due to persistent tree felling and areas once dry are now full of water.

Gareth Longden, who is part of the project run by the Cheshire Wildlife Trust, said: "Not only do we have this amazing pond that they have created, all of that water is also being soaked up by the peat body underneath which helps lock up the carbon.

"It helps keep water in the landscape and after the seemingly continuous drought that we have had all year.

"This is one of the few areas that has remained really wet.

"They can create challenges around flooding in areas where we wouldn't necessarily want to see or they can fell trees that might have particular wildlife value but there are lots of examples of how we can work with the beavers and the benefits far outweigh the negatives."

Beavers once played a crucial role in our wetland landscapes but they were hunted to extinction in the 16th century.

A few years ago they were re-introduced to England in enclosures.

Last year the government announced that beavers could be released into the wild in England - as part of licensed projects.

Baker hopes her research will influence government policy and pave the way for more beaver releases into the wild.

"The Cheshire Wildlife Trust project was the 10th re-introduction programme in the country," she said.

"They were all set up to try to learn the benefits and the risks we can have from releasing beavers.

"But I also think beavers should be back in the landscape because they should always have been here originally and I think that is important to remember."

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